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Background: The role of phonetics in the construction of removable dental prostheses is critical for ensuring patient satisfaction and optimal functionality. This study aims to evaluate the awareness and understanding of phonetic considerations among dental students during the fabrication of removable prostheses. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 dental students. The questionnaire comprised 20 items assessing students’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the role of phonetics in removable dental prostheses. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests to determine the significance of differences among various groups. Results: Out of 150 respondents, 120 (80%) were aware of the importance of phonetics in the construction of removable dental prostheses. Among them, 95 (63.3%) had received formal training on this topic, while 25 (16.7%) had learned through clinical experience. The majority (85%) of students recognized the impact of phonetic issues on patient comfort and satisfaction. However, only 60% of students routinely incorporated phonetic assessments during prosthesis construction. The Chi-square test revealed a significant difference in awareness levels between students in different years of study (P < 0.05). Conclusion: This study highlights a moderate level of awareness among dental students regarding the role of phonetics in removable dental prostheses. While most students understand its importance, there is a gap in practical application, indicating a need for enhanced curriculum and training focused on phonetic considerations.

Background: The articulatory system, which consists of the tongue, lips, teeth, hard palate, and soft palate, is a component of phonetics, the study of speech sounds. Speech sounds are negatively impacted by the lack of teeth and surrounding tissues in edentulous people. Phonetics has not gotten the same level of attention as denture mechanics and aesthetics, despite notable developments in these areas. The purpose of this research is to increase speech clarity in edentulous individuals by contouring the palatal vault of maxillary full dentures. Materials and Methods: Sixty edentulous individuals, who spoke Tamil or English well and were between the ages of 45 and 75, were chosen. Speech sounds from each individual were captured both before and after the maxillary full dentures’ palatal vault was functionally contoured using visible light cure acrylic resin. For a quantitative evaluation, spectrograms were used to examine the speech samples. Results: For most patients, functional contouring of the palatal vault markedly enhanced speech sound quality. The spectrogram analysis’s arbitrary results showed that most participants’ voice clarity had improved by 30% and that the time it took patients to attain clear speech after having a denture had been significantly reduced. Conclusion: The research comes to the conclusion that edentulous patients’ speech clarity is improved by functionally contouring the palatal vault using visible light cure acrylic resin in maxillary full dentures. By using this technique, patients are more satisfied with their dentures and the adaption time is shortened.

Background: Studies on stature estimation models for North West Indian populations are limited. The present study attempts to develop stature estimation models for the Indian population using hand and foot dimensions. Materials and Methods: Hand and foot measurements of 280 individuals (140 males and 140 females) were recorded for the estimation of stature in the present study. The stature and nine hand and foot anthropometric measurements were obtained using standard methods and relevant landmarks. For bilateral and sex differences, independent and paired t-tests were used to statistically analyze the data. Results: The findings showed statistically significant sex differences (P < 0.05) in stature, foot, and hand measurements. However, there were no significant bilateral differences. The Pearson correlation coefficient assessed the association between stature and hand/foot measurements. All the studied parameters in both sexes demonstrated a statistically significant (P < 0.001) and strong positive correlation with stature. Males and females had the strongest correlation coefficients for right-foot length (r = 0.70) and right-hand length (r = 0.64), respectively. Each sex’s regression equations were calculated separately. Stature predictions were accurate to within 4.02–6.64 cm. Conclusion: Stature estimated from hand and foot measurements can help in personal identification by creating an individual’s biological profile. Morphological differences in feet and hands demonstrate the significance of developing ethnic group-specific models to determine stature. According to the study’s findings, the stature of a person belonging to the Indian subcontinent can be estimated using hands and feet for anthropological and forensic purposes.

OBJECTIVES:. Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) and shock are both associated with high morbidity and mortality in the ICU. Adult data suggest renoprotective effects of vasopressin vs. catecholamines (norepinephrine and epinephrine). We aimed to determine whether vasopressin use during CRRT was associated with improved kidney outcomes in children and young adults. DESIGN:. Secondary analysis of Worldwide Exploration of Renal Replacement Outcomes Collaborative in Kidney Disease (WE-ROCK), a multicenter, retrospective cohort study. SETTING:. Neonatal, cardiac, PICUs at 34 centers internationally from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2021. PATIENTS/SUBJECTS:. Patients younger than 25 years receiving CRRT for acute kidney injury and/or fluid overload and requiring vasopressors. Patients receiving vasopressin were compared with patients receiving only norepinephrine/epinephrine. The impact of timing of vasopressin relative to CRRT start was assessed by categorizing patients as: early (on or before day 0), intermediate (days 1–2), and late (days 3–7). INTERVENTIONS:. None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:. Of 1016 patients, 665 (65%) required vasopressors in the first week of CRRT. Of 665, 248 (37%) received vasopressin, 473 (71%) experienced Major Adverse Kidney Events at 90 days (MAKE-90) (death, renal replacement therapy dependence, and/or > 125% increase in serum creatinine from baseline 90 days from CRRT initiation), and 195 (29%) liberated from CRRT on the first attempt within 28 days. Receipt of vasopressin was associated with higher odds of MAKE-90 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.80; 95% CI, 1.20–2.71; p = 0.005) but not liberation success. In the vasopressin group, intermediate/late initiation was associated with higher odds of MAKE-90 (aOR, 2.67; 95% CI, 1.17–6.11; p = 0.02) compared with early initiation. CONCLUSIONS:. Nearly two-thirds of children and young adults receiving CRRT required vasopressors, including over one-third who received vasopressin. Receipt of vasopressin was associated with more MAKE-90, although earlier initiation in those who received it appears beneficial. Prospective studies are needed to understand the appropriate timing, dose, and subpopulation for use of vasopressin.

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic posed numerous obstacles to psychosocial wellbeing for children. We conducted a longitudinal study to evaluate child mental health and social risks during the pandemic. Methods Participants were 172 caregivers of children aged 6–11 years old who attended well child visits within 6 months before pandemic onset at an urban safety net hospital in the US. Prepandemic data was extracted from the electronic medical record, and surveys were administered at three time points between August 2020 and July 2021. We measured mental health symptoms with the Pediatric Symptom Checklist-17, social risks (e.g., food and housing insecurity) with the THRIVE questionnaire, and school modality (in-person, hybrid, remote). Results Compared to pre-pandemic, children had significantly higher PSC-17 total scores (overall mental health symptoms) and THRIVE total scores (total burden of social risks) at all three mid-pandemic waves. Using longitudinal mixed models accounting for time, social risks, and school modality, both social risks (B = 0.37, SE = 0.14, p

The applications of divergence measures in the fields of information is the study of related problems in information processing, information storage, information retrieval and so on. In particular, in this paper, with the help of the new f-divergence measure, we obtained the new information inequalities which related to two divergence measures. Also discussed about convexity of the function and bounds for divergence measures using new f- divergence measures and their properties.

Background: The high burden of suicide among young adults is a matter of grave concern worldwide. Yet only a few studies from India have attempted to explore the region-specific prevalence and determinants of suicidal behavior. Considering this research gap, the present study was undertaken to capture the prevalence and sociodemographic determinants of suicidal behavior among college-going young adults residing in Delhi. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out among 272 (59.20% females) college-going young adults (aged 18–30 years) of Delhi. Data on sociodemographic variables were captured through a pretested and modified interview schedule. Screening for suicidal behavior was done using the Suicide Behavior Questionnaire-Revised. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22. Results: Suicidal behavior was present in 18.01% of the studied participants. The prevalence of suicidal behavior was significantly higher among females (21.73%) than among males (12.61%) (P < 0.05), suggesting females are at a higher risk than males. Other sociodemographic variables (age, education level, state of origin, social category, religion, and family income) were not found to be associated with suicidal behavior except for the social category, where participants belonging to reserved castes were found to be at relatively lower risk of having suicidal behavior than those belonging to the unreserved category. Conclusions: The prevalence of suicidal behavior among the participants is quite high. Region-specific data on suicide-related behavior is important for averting completed suicides and preventing devastating outcomes among young adults.

This paper aims to present a robust computational technique utilizing finite difference schemes for accurately solving time fractional reaction–diffusion models, which are prevalent in chemical and biological phenomena. The time-fractional derivative is treated in the Caputo sense, addressing both linear and nonlinear scenarios. The proposed schemes were rigorously evaluated for stability and convergence. Additionally, the effectiveness of the developed schemes was validated through various linear and nonlinear models, including the Allen–Cahn equation, the KPP–Fisher equation, and the Complex Ginzburg–Landau oscillatory problem. These models were tested in one-, two-, and three-dimensional spaces to investigate the diverse patterns and dynamics that emerge. Comprehensive numerical results were provided, showcasing different cases of the fractional order parameter, highlighting the schemes’ versatility and reliability in capturing complex behaviors in fractional reaction–diffusion dynamics.

The paper’s primary objective is to examine the dynamic behavior of an integer and noninteger predator–prey system with a Holling type IV functional response in the Caputo sense. Our focus is on understanding how harvesting influences the stability, equilibria, bifurcations, and limit cycles within this system. We employ qualitative and quantitative analysis methods rooted in bifurcation theory, dynamical theory, and numerical simulation. We also delve into studying the boundedness of solutions and investigating the stability and existence of equilibrium points within the system. Leveraging Sotomayor’s theorem, we establish the presence of both the saddle-node and transcritical bifurcations. The analysis of the Hopf bifurcation is carried out using the normal form theorem. The model under consideration is extended to the fractional reaction–diffusion model which captures non-local and long-range effects more accurately than integer-order derivatives. This makes fractional reaction–diffusion systems suitable for modeling phenomena with anomalous diffusion or memory effects, improving the fidelity of simulations in turn. An adaptable numerical technique for solving this class of differential equations is also suggested. Through simulation results, we observe that one of the Lyapunov exponents has a negative value, indicating the potential for the emergence of a stable-limit cycle via bifurcation as well as chaotic and complex spatiotemporal distributions. We supplement our analytical investigations with numerical simulations to provide a comprehensive understanding of the system’s behavior. It was discovered that both the prey and predator populations will continue to coexist and be permanent, regardless of the choice of fractional parameter.

Background: Remarkable diversity of skin tones among Indians ranging from pale pinkish to dark brown appears to be an ideal choice for the assessment of skin pigment variation. Aim: The present study was designed to assess the variation observed in melanin and erythema indices among north Indians. Material and Methods: Skin reflectance data (n = 574) was collected from six diverse populations of north India using DermaSpectrometer (DSM II ColorMeter) followed by statistical analysis to investigate the impact of geographical location and gender on constitutive skin pigmentation. Results: The melanin index (MI) varied between 17.93 and 56.92 (Mean (M) = 35.80 ± 6.26) whereas the erythema index (EI) varied between 4.92 and 18.82 (M = 10.48 ± 2.68). MI and EI of females were found to be significantly lower than males (P < 0.001). Geographical location exhibited a significant association with MI and EI (P < 0.001). Furthermore, we have noted a positive correlation between MI and EI (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The study has refined our understanding of skin pigmentation variation among north Indians in terms of significant association with geographical location {MI: F(5,568) = 31.07, P < 0.001; EI: F(5,568) = 73.37, P < 0.001} and gender {MI: t(386) = −4.06, P < 0.001; EI: t(386) = −11.96, P < 0.001} and rendered opportunities for further studies.

Irrigation is one of the steps that is very crucial in a high-quality endodontic treatment. Hence, irrigant with good substantivity is essential which must not only be effective for the dissolution of the organic tissues but also effectively eliminate bacterial contamination. The aim of the study was to investigate and compare the antimicrobial efficacy of gentamicin, amoxicillin, and metronidazole (GAM) antibiotic solution, chitosan and their combination (GAMC), and analyze their sustained release property. Mueller–Hinton agar medium was inoculated with E. faecalis. The medicaments were then poured at the center of the plate in the prepared wells and incubated at 37°C. Antibacterial property of each medicament was evaluated by measuring the diameter of the zone of inhibition at the end of 48 hours. The substantivity of GAM antibiotic solution and the GAMC was checked using an ultraviolet spectrophotometer. The GAMC demonstrated the strongest antimicrobial activity and good sustained-release properties. Distilled water showed no activity, and chlorhexidine acted as the positive control. Conclusion: The combination of gentamicin, amoxicillin, and metronidazole (GAM) solution with chitosan (GAMC) can be used as an alternative intracanal irrigant as it was found to be a potent antibacterial agent.

The majority of hospitals and other healthcare institutions have made the switch from paper-based techniques to something that is known as electronic health records, or EHRs. This change was made possible by technological advancements. Various parties need to exchange the data records they keep on one another, and users need to be allowed to exercise control over who has access to the information they have on file. The Electronic Health Record (EHR) system is beset by issues relating to managing problems, challenges with trust, and data protection. Data stored on blockchains are immutable, private, and accessible only by their intended users. Blockchain technology's use has also led to managing a system with the potential to provide decentralized data storage. In this research, we determine whether it is appropriate to deploy blockchain technology in EHR and explore its potential uses in the efficient leadership of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Purpose: Aging is one of the most important risk factors for a number of human diseases. Epigenetic alterations, including changes in DNA methylation patterns, have been reported to be one of the hallmarks of aging. Being a malleable process, the role of site-specific DNA methylation in aging is being extensively investigated; however, much less attention has been given to alterations in global DNA methylation with aging at the population level. The present study aims to explore overall and sex-specific variations in global DNA methylation patterns with age.Methods: A total of 1,127 adult individuals (792 females) aged 30–75 years belonging to Haryana, North India, were recruited. Socio-demographic data was collected using a pretested interview schedule. Global DNA methylation analysis, of peripheral blood leucocyte (PBL) DNA, was performed using the ELISA-based colorimetric technique.Results: Though the overall correlation analysis revealed a weak inverse trend between global DNA methylation and age, the adjusted regression model showed no significant association between global DNA methylation and age. In age-stratified analysis, global DNA methylation levels were found to be fairly stable until 60 years of age, followed by a decline in the above-60 age group. Further, no significant difference in DNA patterns methylation pattern was observed between males and females.Conclusion: Overall, the study suggests a lack of association between global DNA methylation and age, especially until 60 years of age, and a similar DNA methylation pattern between males and females with respect to age.

The purpose of this paper is to determine a class of neutral stochastic functional integro-differential system in real separable Hilbert spaces as well as the exponential stability results. The Rosenblatt process acts as the driving force behind the systems. Initially, the existence results for mild solutions of the stochastic system is investigated by using stochastic analysis, integro-differential theory, and fixed point theory. The analysis of the exponential stability of mild solutions to nonlinear neutral stochastic integro-differential systems driven by Rosenblatt process is the main objective of the investigation’s further stages. The system’s trajectory controllability is then examined using Gronwall’s inequality. An example is given to validate the results at the end. Our work extends the work of Chalishajar et al. (2010), Chalishajar and Chalishajar (2015), Chalishajar et al. (2023), Muslim and George (2019) and Durga et al. (2022) where the pth moment exponential stability has not discussed. Also, numerical simulation has not studied in Chalishajar et al. (2023), Muslim and George (2019) and Durga et al. (2022).

Abstract Background There is concern about the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychosocial functioning among school-age children, who have faced unusual stressors during this time. Our goal was to assess mental health symptoms and social risks during COVID-19, compared to before the pandemic, for urban, racial and ethnic minority school-age children, and investigate the relationship between mental health and social risks. Methods We conducted a cohort study from September 2019 until January 2021 of children age 5–11 years old recruited from an urban safety net hospital-based pediatric primary care practice. We measured emotional and behavioral symptoms (including attention, internalizing, and externalizing symptoms) before and during the pandemic with the Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC-17). We measured social risks (including food and housing insecurity) before and during the pandemic with the THRIVE screener. We measured additional mid-pandemic COVID-related stressors with items on school participation, screens/media use, illness exposure, and caregiver mental health. We compared pre- and mid-pandemic PSC-17 symptom scores across 4 domains (total, attention, internalizing, and externalizing) and used path analysis to examine the relationship between mental health and social risks pre- and mid-pandemic. Results Caregivers of 168 children (54% non-Hispanic Black, 29% Hispanic, and 22% non-English speaking) completed the study. Children had significantly higher levels of emotional and behavioral symptoms midpandemic- vs. pre-pandemic in all domains. Significantly more children had a positive PSC-17 total score (18% vs. 8%, p

Differential operators based on convolution have been recognized as powerful mathematical operators able to depict and capture chaotic behaviors, especially those that are not able to be depicted using classical differential and integral operators. While these differential operators have being applied with great success in many fields of science, especially in the case of dynamical system, we have to confess that they were not able depict some chaotic behaviors, especially those with additionally similar patterns. To solve this issue new class of differential and integral operators were proposed and applied in few problems. In this paper, we aim to depict chaotic behavior using the newly defined differential and integral operators with fractional order and fractal dimension. Additionally we introduced a new chaotic operators with strange attractors. Several simulations have been conducted and illustrations of the results are provided to show the efficiency of the models.

Understanding epidemic propagation patterns and assessing disease control measures require the use of mathematical and computational methodologies. In recent years, complexity science, management science, sociology, and computer science have all been progressively merged with epidemiology. The interdisciplinary collaboration has sped up the development of computational and mathematical methods for simulating epidemics. The model with the classical time derivative in the influenza disease model is formulated with the Caputo (power-law kernel), Caputo–Fabrizio (exponential kernel), and the novel Atangana–Baleanu fractional derivatives which combined both nonlocal and non-singular properties. Also this article presents the boundness and positiveness Solutions for the influenza model. The analysis of the equilibrium point is also given. Various published articles have utilized the reproductive number notion to investigate disease-spread stability. There were certain conditions proposed to predict whether there would be stability or instability. It was also advised that an analysis be conducted to discover the conditions under which infectious classes will grow or die out. Some authors pointed out that the reproductive number is limited, including its inability to fairly aid in understanding distribution patterns. The concept of strength number and analysis of derivatives of mathematical models were presented to help in understanding the disease model. Further, the stability of disease-free and endemic equilibrium is presented. Finally, a numerical solution with simulation is given. We hope to use these extra studies in a basic model to forecast the future of this research.

Abstract Proton aurora at Mars are thought to form indirectly, as a result of solar wind proton charge exchange with planetary coronal hydrogen upstream of the bow shock. This charge exchange produces beamed energetic neutral atoms that bypass the induced magnetosphere and cause spatially uniform auroral emission when they collide with the thermosphere. Here we report multiple definitive observations of spatially localized “patchy” proton aurora at Mars using the Emirates Mars Ultraviolet Spectrometer on the Emirates Mars Mission, and characterize the plasma environment during these events using contemporaneous Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN mission measurements. Multiple mechanisms are required to explain these observations, including at times the direct deposition of solar wind plasma into the thermosphere, particularly during radial interplanetary magnetic field conditions. Much future work will be needed to assess these mechanisms and understand the impact of these auroral events on Mars atmospheric evolution.

Abstract The Emirates Mars Ultraviolet Spectrometer (EMUS) is a far ultraviolet spectrometer on‐board the Emirates Mars Mission's (EMM) which arrived at Mars on 9 February 2021. EMUS is designed to observe key neutral species in the Martian thermosphere (100–200 km) and exosphere (≥200 km). EMUS has observed two neutral argon (Ar) emission lines, Ar I 104.8 nm and Ar I 106.6 nm, in the thermosphere. Our interest in these emissions stem from argon's non‐reactiveness, making it a tracer for transport between the upper and lower atmosphere. We report average argon disk brightness measured by EMUS and compare them to measurements from Earth orbiting observatories. For the first time, this work investigates the variability of Ar I 106.6 nm brightness due to emission angles, solar zenith angles, solar longitudes, local times and latitudes. To contrast the behavior of inert argon we compare these results with the photochemically reactive oxygen 135.6 nm.

C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) is a rare entity that is defined by glomerular pathology characterized by predominant deposition of C3 in the glomeruli, with absent or scant immunoglobulin deposition. The aim of this study was to diagnose this rare entity, using clinical features, light microscopy (LM) and direct immunofluorescence (DIF) findings. A retrospective study was done from January 2016 to December 2018. Out of 207 kidney biopsies, eight cases of C3G were included in the study. Clinical, laboratory, and demographic data of all patients were obtained. LM and DIF findings were further evaluated. Nephrotic syndrome was the predominant clinical presentation in this study. All eight cases showed a membranoproliferative pattern on LM. DIF showed predominant mesangiocapillary staining with C3 in all eight cases. DIF plays an important role in making the correct diagnosis, which is necessary to further perform appropriate complement investigations, as these patients respond well to complement inhibitor therapy.

In this study, a mathematical model that may depict the dynamic transmission of the Chikungunya virus within a specific population has been examined. Various differential operators were considered, ranging from classical to nonlocal operators. We added a stochastic component to each instance and used the Lipschitz and linear growth criteria to illustrate the existence and uniqueness of the solutions. The most recent numerical method with Newton polynomial (are related symmetrical) interpolations was used to solve each problem numerically using MATLAB. There are some presented numerical simulations which are compared with the Lipschitz and linear growth properties. This new research work emphasizes how the Chikungunya virus model is formulated using fractional ODEs.

Several methodologies have been advocated in the last decades with the aim to better understand behaviours displayed by some real-world problems. Among which, stochastics modelling and fractional modelling, fuzzy and others. These methodologies have been suggested to threat specific problems; however, It have been noticed that some problems exhibit different patterns as time passes by. Randomness and nonlocality can be combined to depict complex real-world behaviours. It has been observed that, covid-19 virus spread does not follow a single pattern; sometimes we obtained stochastic behaviours, another nonlocal behaviour and others. In this paper, we shall consider a covid-19 model with fractional stochastic behaviours. More precisely a covid-19 model, where the model considers nonlocalities and randomness is suggested. Then a comprehensive analysis of the model is conducted. Numerical simulations and illustrations are done to show the efficiency of the model.

Congenital syphilis is a severe, disabling infection that occurs due to transmission of Treponema pallidum across the placenta. An increase in the incidence of congenital syphilis has been observed in developing countries. Here, we are reporting a case of early congenital syphilis who presented with desquamating papulosquamous lesions over multiple body parts along with moist erythematous and erosive lesions in the perianal and perioral regions. Reactive venereal disease research laboratory and T. pallidum hemagglutination assay test in child and parents confirmed the diagnosis of congenital syphilis.

Background: Prevalence of rhesus (Rh) and Kell antigens in a population vary with race, ethnicity, and geographical location. With advances in immunohematology, non-D antigens, and their corresponding antibodies are increasingly being found to be culprits for alloimmunization. Materials and Methods: Assessment of the phenotype of Rh and Kell blood group antigen in the healthy donor population from North India was done, and estimation of the frequencies of these alleles in our population was performed. Results: The most common antigen in the North Indian donor population was “e” (95.6%) followed by “C” (89.6%), “c” (57.7%), and “E” (17.29%) in that order. The most prevalent phenotype in the Indian population was found to be “CDe” followed by “CcDe” and “CcDEe.” “K” antigen was found to be positive in 1.81% of the population. Discussion: Knowledge of the Rh antigen profiles in a given population can be very helpful in formulating transfusion guidelines specific to a particular population with an aim to minimize the cost and maximize the benefits. With this aim in mind and considering the problems encountered in developing countries like ours, we conducted Rh and Kell antigen profiling of donors. Comparative analysis with other population studies and implications for transfusion protocols is evaluated. Conclusion: Assessment of Rhesus antigen profile of a particular population is useful to develop cost effective ways of providing maximum benefits of blood transfusion with least resources.

Amyloidosis is a complex multi-system disorder characterized by deposition of an aberrant protein in tissues with kidney being the main target organ. The age of presentation of amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis is highest among adults aged 60–80 years followed by 45–55 years. However, presentation in younger age group is rare. We aimed to study the clinicopathological spectrum of patients with biopsy-proven renal AA amyloidosis aged

Giant Cell Tumours (GCT) of the skull is rare, being less than 0.05% of all skeletal tumours. They are usually located in the middle cranial fossa affecting the temporal, sphenoid, petrosal and occipital bone. Clival GCT is rarer and 15 cases are described in the literature. Authors report a case of a female patient aged 20 years, who complained of headache with decrease in vision of left eye. Neurological examination revealed left optic nerve palsy. Laboratory test of Vitamin B12, blood urea, Serum Creatinine, Serum Electrolytes were within normal range. Complete blood count showed mild anaemia. The serum calcium and parathyroid hormones were within normal range. Computed Tomography (CT) scan and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) were done, which demonstrated expansile destructive lytic lesion involving sphenoid bone and clivus, reaching upto sellar, parasellar regions, sphenoid sinus and left posterior ethmoid sinus, effacing left optic foramina and posteriorly effacing prepontine cistern. The left internal carotid artery was partially encased by the mass. The tumour was partially removed by endoscopic trans-nasal trans-sphenoidal approach. Histopathology confirmed it as a benign GCT. Surgical treatment of clival GCTs are fraught with complication because of its close proximity to vital structures. High vascularity, potential malignant behaviour, inaccessibility and very few published cases preclude a definite outcome of this lesion. Histopathology is necessary to differentiate various lytic lesion like chordoma, aneurysmal bone cyst, invasive pituitary adenoma, chondrosarcoma and brown tumour (parathyroidism).

This work has considered a mathematical model describing the spread of COVID-19 in a given population. The model comprised 5 systems of equations that take into account different classes describing the impact of COVID-19 in a given population. The time differential operator was replaced with three different types of nonlocal operators. These operators are defined as the convolution of variable order fractal differential operators with different kernels including power law, exponential decay law, and Mittag-Leffler functions. We presented the well-poseness of the models for different differential operators that were presented in detail. A novel numerical scheme was used to solve numerically the system and numerical simulations were provided.

Dowling-Degos Disease is a rare, pigmentary disorder with variable presentations. The most common among them are hyperpigmented macules and reticulate pigmentary anomaly of flexures. Many other phenotypic variations of Dowling-Degos disease have been reported in literature. We present here a case of Dowling-Degos disease with comedo-like lesions and pits without typical flexural hyperpigmented macules.

The invent of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) opens the door for a comprehensive analysis of consumers consumption patterns including energy theft studies, which were not possible beforehand. This study proposes a fraud detection methodology using data mining techniques such as hierarchical clustering and decision tree classification to identify abnormalities in consumer consumption patterns and further classify the abnormality type into the anomaly, fraud, high or low power consumption based on rule-based learning. The proposed algorithm uses real-time dataset of Nana Kajaliyala village, Gujarat, India. The focus has been on generalizing the algorithm for varied practical cases to make it adaptive towards non-malicious changes in consumer profile. Simultaneously, this study proposes a novel validation technique used for validation, which utilizes predicted profiles to ensure accurate bifurcation between anomaly and theft targets. The result exhibits high detection ratio and low false-positive ratio due to the application of appropriate validation block. The proposed methodology is also investigated from point of view of privacy preservation and is found to be relatively secure owing to low-sampling rates, minimal usage of metadata and communication layer. The proposed algorithm has an edge over state-of-the-art theft detection algorithms in detection accuracy and robustness towards outliers.

Background: FLT3-ITD and NPM1 mutations are considered to be the major determinants of the patient response to therapy and outcome. The primary aim of this study was to establish the correlation between these molecular mutations and the clinico-hematologic parameters as well as the prognostic outcome of the Indian acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. Materials and Methods: This prospective study involved newly diagnosed nonpromyelocytic AML patients who had undergone complete diagnostic workup, including immunophenotyping, conventional cytogenetics and molecular analysis for NPM1 and FLT3-ITD mutation by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction at presentation. Results: Overall, the prevalence of NPM1 and FLT3-ITD mutations was found to be 14.4% and 10.8%, respectively. Among patients with normal karyotype, leukocytosis was significantly associated with NPM1+ group than the NPM1− group (P = 0.0019) and more severe degree of anemia was observed in the FLT3-ITD+ patients than the other groups (P = 0.025). No significant correlation was found in terms of age at presentation (P = 0.56), sex ratio (P = 0.467), median platelet count (P = 0.27), and blast percentage between NPM1+ and FLT3-ITD+ groups. Complete remission (CR) rates were better in the NPM1+/FLT3-ITD− group than the other three groups. Unlike most other studies, improved CR rates as well as disease-free survival were observed in the NPM−/FLT3-ITD− group than the FLT3-ITD+ groups although not reaching statistically significant levels. Conclusion: Some differences in the clinical behavior of the Indian AML patients in comparison to that of the West in the presence of NPM1 and FLT3-ITD suggests that comprehensive studies are required to confirm the definitive role of these mutations among AML patients, especially with normal karyotype.

Abstract Background Owing to the use of tobacco and the consumption of alcohol and adulterated food, worldwide cancer incidence is increasing at an alarming and frightening rate. Since the last decade of the twentieth century, lung cancer has been the most common cancer type. This study aimed to determine the global status of lung cancer and to evaluate the use of computational methods in the early detection of lung cancer. Methods We used lung cancer data from the United Kingdom (UK), the United States (US), India, and Egypt. For statistical analysis, we used incidence and mortality as well as survival rates to better understand the critical state of lung cancer. Results In the UK and the US, we found a significant decrease in lung cancer mortalities in the period of 1990–2014, whereas, in India and Egypt, such a decrease was not much promising. Additionally, we observed that, in the UK and the US, the survival rates of women with lung cancer were higher than those of men. We observed that the data mining and evolutionary algorithms were efficient in lung cancer detection. Conclusions Our findings provide an inclusive understanding of the incidences, mortalities, and survival rates of lung cancer in the UK, the US, India, and Egypt. The combined use of data mining and evolutionary algorithm can be efficient in lung cancer detection.

In this paper, the operators of fractional integration introduced by Marichev-Saigo-Maeda involving Appell's function F3(·) are applied, and several new image formulas of generalized Lommel–Wright function are established. Also, by implementing some integral transforms on the resulting formulas, few more image formulas have been presented. We can conclude that all derived results in our work generalize numerous well-known results and are capable of yielding a number of applications in the theory of special functions.Primary: 44A20 Transforms of special functions; 65R10 For numerical methods; 26A33 Fractional derivatives and integrals; Secondary: 33C20 Generalized hypergeometric series, pFq; 33E50 Special functions in characteristic p (gamma functions, etc.); 2010 AMS classification by MathSciNet

Ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis of extinct ratite species is of considerable interest as it provides important insights into their origin, evolution, paleogeographical distribution and vicariant speciation in congruence with continental drift theory. In this study, DNA hotspots were detected in fossilized eggshell fragments of ratites (dated ≥25000 years B.P. by radiocarbon dating) using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). DNA was isolated from five eggshell fragments and a 43 base pair (bp) sequence of a 16S rRNA mitochondrial-conserved region was successfully amplified and sequenced from one of the samples. Phylogenetic analysis of the DNA sequence revealed a 92% identity of the fossil eggshells to Struthio camelus and their position basal to other palaeognaths, consistent with the vicariant speciation model. Our study provides the first molecular evidence for the presence of ostriches in India, complementing the continental drift theory of biogeographical movement of ostriches in India, and opening up a new window into the evolutionary history of ratites.

Myoelectric-artificial limbs can significantly advance the state of the art in prosthetics, since they can be used to control mechatronic devices through muscular activity in a way that mimics how the subjects used to activate their muscles before limb loss. However, surveys indicate that dissatisfaction with the functionality of terminal devices underlies the widespread abandonment of prostheses. We believe that one key factor to improve acceptability of prosthetic devices is to attain human-likeness of prosthesis movements, a goal which is being pursued by research on social and human-robot interactions. Therefore, to reduce early abandonment of terminal devices, we propose that controllers should be designed such as to ensure effective task accomplishment in a natural fashion. In this work, we have analyzed and compared the performance of three types of myoelectric controller algorithms based on surface electromyography to control an under-actuated and multi-degrees of freedom prosthetic hand, the SoftHand Pro. The goal of the present study was to identify the myoelectric algorithm that best mimics the native hand movements. As a preliminary step, we first quantified the repeatability of the SoftHand Pro finger movements and identified the electromyographic recording sites for able-bodied individuals with the highest signal-to-noise ratio from two pairs of muscles, i.e. flexor digitorum superficialis/extensor digitorum communis, and flexor carpi radialis/extensor carpi ulnaris. Able-bodied volunteers were then asked to execute reach-to-grasp movements, while electromyography signals were recorded from flexor digitorum superficialis/extensor digitorum communis as this was identified as the muscle pair characterized by high signal-to-noise ratio and intuitive control. Subsequently, we tested three myoelectric controllers that mapped electromyography signals to position of the SoftHand Pro. We found that a differential electromyography-to-position mapping ensured the highest coherence with hand movements. Our results represent a first step towards a more effective and intuitive control of myoelectric hand prostheses.

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease which may result in various oro-facial injuries among which fracture of crown and avulsion of tooth are commonly reported. Challenges come in growing epileptic children where fixed prosthesis could not be delivered and it demands a fixed semi-permanent prosthesis that needs strength along with esthetics. The present paper reports an innovative appliance which has fulfilled fore mentioned criteria; with the appliance named-frog appliance.

Pantoea agglomerans infections in humans are uncommon. Most common infections reported are septic arthritis or synovitis. We report the case of a 25-year-old, healthy male, who presented with indurated swelling over the posterolateral aspect of his right thigh, associated with pain for one month. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed muscle edema with cystic areas in the posterior-most part of the vastus lateralis of the right thigh. The condition was clinically diagnosed as a right-sided benign tumor of the vastus lateralis muscle. However, Pantoea agglomerans was isolated on a culture of the excised muscle tissue. On the basis of the awareness of the common association of Pantoea with penetrating trauma by vegetation, the patient was asked to recollect any prior such injury. He then gave a history of a fall in the field and a plant thorn prick in the thigh four years back, when he was an agricultural worker. We emphasize the importance of Pantoea agglomerans infection of the soft tissues that can have an atypical presentation as a non-suppurative, indurated, muscle cyst in our case. Thorn injuries are usually ignored as trivial incidents, however, Pantoea infections should always be borne in mind when encountering soft tissue lesions, as antibiotic treatment is required for complete resolution of the lesion.

Precursor Natural Killer cell lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma is a rare entity defined clearly by WHO (2008 WHO classification). However, the pathobiology of this subset of neoplasms is not clearly defined. There is wide disparity in the literature regarding the nomenclature and diagnostic criteria used to diagnose and characterize acute leukemias of presumed NK cell origin. In the present article we report a case of Precursor NK cell lymphoblastic leukemia/ lymphoma and review the cases reported after 2008 WHO classification came into vogue, as acute leukemias of NK cell origin.

High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and electrophoresis are commonly used to diagnose various hemoglobinopathies. However, insufficient information about the transfusion history can lead to unexpected and confusing results. We are reporting a case of Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) in which HbHPLC was done to quantify fetal hemoglobin (HbF). The chromatogram showed elevated HbF along with a peak in the HbD window. A transfusion acquired peak was suspected based on the unexpectedly low percentage of HbD and was subsequently confirmed using parental HbHPLC.

Abdominoscrotal hydrocele is an uncommon clinical entity and so is intestinal malrotation. We report a case of 15 year old boy who presented with lump in abdomen previously diagnosed as mesenteric cyst on ultrasound. A multislice CT scan and repeat ultrasound not only diagnosed the case as abdominoscrotal hydrocele but also detected intestinal malrotation with positive whirl sign. This is the first reported case of abdominoscrotal hydrocele with intestinal malrotation.

Filaariasis a quite common in some parts of the world including India. It has been reported as an incidental finding in cytology smears. Here we report three cases where microfilariae of Wuchereria Bancrofti were detected incidentally in bone marrow smears, in two cases in special stain slides. All these patients were being investigated for other hematological disorders.

Filaariasis a quite common in some parts of the world including India. It has been reported as an incidental finding in cytology smears. Here we report three cases where microfilariae of Wuchereria Bancrofti were detected incidentally in bone marrow smears, in two cases in special stain slides. All these patients were being investigated for other hematological disorders.

Acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (AMKL) is a rare subtype of acute myeloid leukemia. Although known as a distinct entity for a very long time, because of lack of distinct clinical features and morphological criteria, it is difficult to diagnose this variant correctly. We herein present the clinical, morphological, cytochemical, and immunocytochemical features of five cases of AMKL. Certain morphological features such as presence of abnormal platelet count, giant platelets, and cytoplasmic blebbing in blasts were found to be important pointers towards the diagnosis. However, none of the features were found to be consistent and thus morphological diagnosis has to be confirmed by cytochemistry and immunocytochemistry.